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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

This is just shit really isn't it?

3 replies

Sarsaparillajones · 03/07/2014 21:51

Ok not really sure what I expect you to say about this really, just want to vent I think. And see what would you do? Story is:

My granny is in her 90s, she is and always has been a very difficult lady. She is text book narcissist, and over the years my mum has gone no contact a few times. I have always been in contact but she doesn't treat me the way she does my mum, I am happy to have some contact, albeit distant and mainly by phone with occasional visits. My uncle moved to canada as soon as he could many years ago (you can imagine why). My granny lives in Scotland as does my mum. I live in london. She has no other family nearby.

Last year granny had a fall and broke her hip, mum was round a lot, really helped sort things out and, as normal when granny was vulnerable, things were ok ish, but as she got back on her feet granny's behaviour deteriorated. To confuse things this time her memory was clearly getting difficult which worried us both. Last autumn there was another narc incident, mum went nc again -rightly to look after herself although she found this a hard decision given granny's health. I have had sporadic contact over the last few months and not for a bit. I try to be neutral but my sympathies are really with my mum and I try not to get drawn in with Granny (who in classic fashion has been telling the whole village where she lives a load of lies about my mum to explain the nc).

Ok just had a call from my granny, who has today had a diagnosis of Alzheimer's, early stages. She is clearly upset, and clearly still refusing to see why my mum is nc. She is scared and vulnerable, and still a narc ! I'm going to have to tell my mum, but I don't want to, I don't want to enable any shit but I also don't want my granny to be alone. Although she has got care and support in place but no family there iykwim. I love my granny even though I don't like her really and I especially don't like what she does to my mum!

There isn't a good answer to this is there ? Granny will go downhill, my mum will feel awful whether I do or don't tell her what the diagnosis is and whether she does or doesn't get back in touch. And I live miles away and can't really do anything anyway!

Sorry this is long. Any viper thoughts?

OP posts:
frames · 03/07/2014 21:55

Tell your mum about the call. Leave them to it. You are miles away as you say

Imbroglio · 03/07/2014 22:41

I suggest you don't engage with your gran about your mum. Change the subject if it comes up.

Its shit for your mum, so its fantastic that you are there for her. I bet it means a lot. There is a lot of pressure on women to just 'suck it up' when older people need help, even if they are utterly vile.

Are there any other family members around at all? Could you arrange a bit of a rota to call your gran and make sure she has a bit of support and take the pressure off your mum?

Squidstirfry · 03/07/2014 23:24

Of course you should tell your mum, she would be hurt if u kept this from her, but just be clear that u r not on anyone's side, just that u dnt want to keep the info to yourself.

Their relationship is not your responsibility

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